Face your challenges and work through them, I think. Mental and physical challenge lead to growth; growth leads to the milestones of success. Besides, overcoming challenges and emerging in triumph is infinitely more satisfying than coasting along in life.​

The trail

As Phlatlander and I hike up a hill, a familiar voice yells at us from a campsite off trail: Shweasle. He reclines against a rock, wearing a plaid gray kilt, looking like he had just awoken at noon.

"There were about twelve whippoorwills here last night," he shouts. "Didn't get any sleep! I don't know who it was who said 'the lonesome cry of the whippoorwill,' but 'lonesome,' doesn't even come close to describing it! 'Cheerful,' or 'overly enthusiastic,' maybe. I mean, had that guy even heard a whippoorwill before?!"

Viewpoint

Phlatlander and Shweasle hike ahead. When I reach Thunder Hill Shelter, I spot Phlatlander hanging her clothes out to dry on Rhododendron branches.

"Hey!" she says. "There's a Mountain Dew waiting for you!"

"What?!"

"Someone left Mountain Dew in the shelter."

"Someone left figs, too, if you want some. We just opened a pack," Shweasle adds, without looking up from his phone.

"I found the spring," Phlatlander continues. "I got 5 liters of water, so that's 2.5 for each of us."

"Thanks! You're awesome!" I'm again struck by the level of interdependence along the trail.

After examining a rather large blister that looks as though it gave birth to a baby blister underneath, I head over to enjoy the Mountain Dew and figs. The three of us study our trail guides, aware of the need to resupply soon. Just a day's walk away is a campground; we plan to head there the next day.